The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) aims to set up more childcare centres in the heartlands and at workplaces in the coming years, said former Minister of State for MSF Halimah Yacob, who is now Speaker of Parliament.
The target for now is to add about five workplace childcare centres every year.
In a report by Channel NewsAsia, Halimah said that cost is a concern for many companies when it comes to setting up childcare centres. However, she added that employers should feel that it is a “win-win strategy for them to attract and retain talent”.
"We aim to have at least about five per year, so you see, the aim is modest but we feel that is one source we feel it is to be supplemented by the other efforts to set up childcare centres near the homes," she was quoted as saying.
"It has to be accessible, if it is too far, it is no use to families. It has to be affordable, if it is too expensive, then it is prohibitive as well, and thirdly it has to be of certain quality so we try. We are improving all these three prongs so the Marriage and Parenthood package may address some of these," Halimah continued.
Workplace childcare centres currently make up 27% of all child care centres.
Childcare centres located within government buildings can receive a one-off capital grant for conversion at 20% of total cost, currently capped at S$52,700.
Those sited within a commercial building can receive one-off capital grant for the purchase of furnishings and equipment, currently capped at S$50,700.
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